Football Association could be fined by Fifa for allowing Polish fans to use
flares at Wembley in World Cup qualifier

The Football Association could be fined for failing to prevent Poland fans setting off flares in England’s World Cup qualifier at Wembley last week after Fifa confirmed it had opened disciplinary proceedings over the matter.

The Polish FA also face sanctions for the conduct of its country’s supporters during England’s 2-0 win earlier in the month, which more than 20,000 of them attended.

Several flares were set off before kick-off and although it appears only Poland fans were involved, Fifa regulations hold the host federation jointly liable in such matters as it is responsible for security at one of its stadiums.

Fifa said in a statement: “We can confirm that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the Football Association and the Polish Football Association for incidents that were reported during the preliminary competition match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil between England and Poland on 15 October 2013.”

The proceedings against the FA come on the back of their joint attempt with the Premier League to step up the fight to prevent flares and smoke bombs from being taken into English football grounds after it was revealed there have been more than 130 incidents reported this season.

Football’s authorities are determined to clampdown on the growing problem and are considering a number of initiatives including an advertising campaign and video footage to alert supporters to the dangers.

The latest outbreak of flare throwing came in Sunday’s game at Aston Villa, where a smoke bomb hurled from the stand housing Tottenham Hotspur’s supporters struck assistant referee David Bryan, who escaped serious injury. The FA has launched an investigation.

West Midlands Police released two men aged 47 and 25 on bail, pending further inquiries, and Phil Dowd, the referee, included details in his match report.

A FA spokesman said: “The FA remains concerned about the issue of pyrotechnics being brought into and used at football grounds.

“Aside from the inherent dangers of using such devices, it is important to stress that it is a criminal offence to bring, or attempt to bring, a pyrotechnic device into a football ground. Offenders who are arrested and convicted could receive a fine and most likely a Football Banning Order or possibly a jail sentence.”

Sunday’s incident was far from an isolated event, with figures from the Football Policing Unit revealing flares and smoke signals have been used or seized at 131 matches across the four divisions this season. Last season there was a total of 199.

Crystal Palace fans let off a flare in the game at Liverpool earlier this month and some supporters had to be treated for smoke inhalation.

There was also trouble in Manchester United’s Capital One Cup against Liverpool in September while Polish fans lit red flares both inside and outside Wembley Stadium at the World Cup qualifier last Tuesday.

Arrests have grown in line with the rise in incidents. Last season, 70 people were arrested for possession of a flare or firework, which is illegal inside a football ground, or when trying to gain entry.

This season, there have been 44 arrests already.

The Premier League is gathering information from fans’ groups of clubs after first identifying the problem late last year but expects to launch its campaign in the next fortnight, coincidentally before bonfire night.

Andy Holt, the head of football policing for the Association of Chief Police Officers, admitted the trend had become a problem in English stadiums.

He told the BBC: “It is not appropriate to let off smoke flares or fireworks inside a stadium. Last year we saw an increase in the use of flares and pyrotechnic devices by nearly 140 per cent compared to the previous season.

“Arrests for the possession of a firework or a flare were up more than 150 per cent so it is certainly something we are seeing becoming more prevalent in today’s game and it’s a real worry for us.

“It is prevalent abroad and I would argue they have a greater problem than we do in this country. But I’m anxious that we don't head the same way and it does not become embedded in the culture of English football.

“It is in no way appropriate to let off either smoke flares or fireworks inside a stadium. Those that argue that it gives a European flavour to the occasion are plain wrong.”

Five flare controversies

1. 20/10/13 – Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League) A flare is thrown from the Doug Ellis Stand, striking assistant referee David Bryan between the shoulder blades. Two men are arrested and later bailed by West Midlands Police, pending inquiries.

2. 25/09/13 – Manchester United v Liverpool (Capital One Cup) Four flares are thrown from the East Stand housing the Liverpool fans, with 10 people arrested for public order offences.

3. 5/10/13 – Liverpool v Crystal Palace (Premier League) Three flares are let off in the away end at Anfield near the start of the match. Supporters are treated by ambulance staff for smoke inhalation.

5. 23/1/13 Swansea v Chelsea (Capital Cup semi-final first leg) Two Chelsea fans are jailed for taking smoke grenades into the Liberty Stadium, though they were not set off. Chelsea warn supporters they risk being arrested if they take flares or smoke bombs into Stamford Bridge.